RIYADH: The ambassadors and military attaches of coalition countries seeking to restore the legitimate government in Yemen, in a meeting in Riyadh on Wednesday renewed their condemnation of Iran for its interference in Yemen by arming militias in flagrant violation of UN resolutions.
Speaking to reporters after a meeting at the Foreign Ministry, Mohammad Al-Jaber, the Saudi ambassador to Yemen, said: “During the meeting, coalition representatives reviewed the developments and the efforts to restore full legitimacy in Yemen at the political, military and humanitarian levels, including coordination and consultation with effective international parties.
“The representatives agreed to continue full coordination among the coalition countries in the humanitarian, political and military fields until the legitimate government controls all parts of Yemen,” he added.
All representatives at the meeting expressed their strong condemnation of the Iran-backed Houthi rebels' heinous acts of killings and terrorizing innocent civilians, as well as indiscriminate assassinations of Yemeni politicians in Sanaa, Al-Jaber said.
They also condemned the Houthi militias’ continuous besieging of cities, recruiting children and violating international humanitarian law.
Moreover, the ambassadors condemned the Houthis' continual threatening of the Kingdom by launching ballistic missiles at its cities, as well as threatening the safety and security of the sea routes.
During the meeting, the ambassadors renewed their condemnation of Iran for backing the militias, for its interference in Yemen which is fueling the crisis, and for providing the Houthis with weapons, ammunition and ballistic missiles in flagrant violation of the UN Security Council resolutions 2216 and 2231, he said, adding they also condemned the Houthi militias’ continuous rejection of a political solution and the efforts of the UN Special Envoy to Yemen Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed.
Moreover, the coalition representatives reaffirmed their support for the efforts of the UN special envoy to Yemen to reach a political solution based on three references — the Gulf Initiative, outcomes of the Comprehensive National Dialogue and Security Council Resolution 2216.
They also stressed the continued cooperation and coordination between the coalition countries and the UN envoy, including his proposal for Al-Hodeida Port within the framework of the sought-after peaceful solution.
Joining him, the coalition’s spokesman, Col. Turki Al-Malki, said the legitimate government, which now controls about 85 percent of the territory, is being coordinated to restore full legitimacy.
During the meeting, the representatives reaffirmed their continued support to provide safe passage and facilitate the entry of humanitarian aid and commercial shipments to all areas of Yemen with no exception.
He said the humanitarian work in territories under the legitimate government is progressing well, but in Houthi-held territories there are problems as the relief shipments are sometimes looted by rebels.
Concerning humanitarian efforts, the coalition representatives expressed their strong condemnation of the Houthi militias for disrupting humanitarian assistance that has led to a deterioration of the situation in the war-hit country.
The representatives also highlighted the humanitarian efforts of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSRelief) in providing assistance in coordination with international relief organizations.
The dean of the diplomatic corps and ambassador of Djibouti, Diaa-Eddin Saed Bamakhrama, after the meeting told Arab News: “Ambassador Al-Jaber presented political files on developments at the meeting with the ambassador of Yemen, whereas KSRelief presented humanitarian developments and the military side from the Kingdom, and Yemen explained about the situation, exuding hope that the coalition will soon find a good solution to the Yemen crisis.
“Our country Djibouti is very closely following the developments in Yemen; we are very close to Yemen and support the Kingdom with hope that full legitimacy will be restored with the coalition’s support.”
Yemen coalition ambassadors condemn Iran for fueling crisis with militias
Yemen coalition ambassadors condemn Iran for fueling crisis with militias
Saudi Shoura Council speaker receives Japan’s newly appointed envoy
Saudi Shoura Council Speaker Sheikh Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Ibrahim Al-Asheikh received Japan’s newly appointed Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Morino Yasunari in Riyadh on Wednesday.
The Japanese ambassador praised the strong ties between Saudi Arabia and Japan, affirming his country’s commitment to enhancing cooperation across various sectors, Saudi Press Agency reported.
During the meeting, the two sides also discussed ways to bolster parliamentary collaboration between the Shoura Council and the Japanese Parliament, and other topics of mutual interest.
Qassim governor praises green initiative’s success
- The Green Qassim Land Initiative has completed planting 5 million trees as part of the broader Saudi Green Initiative
RIYADH: Qassim Gov. Prince Faisal bin Mishaal commended the success of the Green Qassim Land Initiative in planting 5 million trees as part of the broader Saudi Green Initiative.
In a meeting on Wednesday, he praised government and private sector efforts, particularly the contributions of the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture and the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification.
The governor also lauded the ministry’s and center’s innovative approach to repurposing materials confiscated from environmental regulation violators for sustainable reforestation, notably in Qassim National Park.
Prince Faisal reaffirmed the region’s commitment to expanding vegetation cover and strengthening environmental protection, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The ministry’s Qassim branch director general, Salman Al-Suwainea, said that the initiative has progressed through various stages of collaboration with governmental and nonprofit organizations, playing a key role in advancing the Saudi Green Initiative’s objectives.
King Faisal Prize announces winners for Service to Islam
- The prize was awarded jointly to the Mushaf Tibyan Project for the Deaf, and Sami Abdullah Almaghlouth, consultant at the General Authority for Survey and Geospatial Information
RIYADH: The 2025 King Faisal Prize for Service to Islam has been awarded jointly to the Mushaf Tibyan Project for the Deaf, and Sami Abdullah Almaghlouth, consultant at the General Authority for Survey and Geospatial Information.
Mushaf Tibyan Project for the Deaf is a Saudi initiative by the Liajlehum Association, which serves people with disabilities.
Prince Turki Al-Faisal announced the laureates for the Service to Islam category at a ceremony in Riyadh on Wednesday.
Mushaf Tibyan Project for the Deaf has been awarded the prize for its provision of a complete Qur’anic interpretation in sign language, and for providing an interactive Qur’an for those with hearing disabilities.
It offers an innovative approach to Qur’anic interpretation, using techniques that enable the deaf to reflect on and understand the meaning of the Holy Qur’an.
Sami Abdullah Almaghlouth has been awarded the prize for his outstanding efforts in documenting Islamic history, his achievements in the field of historical and geographical atlases, and his accomplishments in both the diversity and comprehensiveness of the topics covered, which include most aspects of Islamic history, its figures, monuments and stages.
The Saudi national’s work includes atlases on the life of Prophet Muhammad, the history of the prophets and messengers, the Rashidun caliphs, atlases on religions, places in the Holy Qur’an, Islamic sects and schools of thought, Hadith scholars, and Holy Qur’an interpreters.
His work has been translated into several languages.
Earlier, on Jan. 8, the KFP, awarded in five categories, was announced, except for the Service to Islam prize. Announcing the winners then, Dr. Abdulaziz Alsebail, KFP secretary-general, said: “The selection committees, after meticulous deliberations, have reached decisions for ... Islamic studies, Arabic language and literature, medicine, and science. ”
The coveted prize for Islamic studies for 2025 was awarded jointly to Professor Saad Abdulaziz Alrashid and Professor Said Faiz Alsaid. Both are Saudi nationals and professors at King Saud University.
The prize for Arabic language and literature was withheld due to the nominated works not reaching the set criteria.
The prize for medicine was awarded to Michel Sadelain (Canada), and the prize for science awarded in physics to Sumio Iijima, a professor at Meijo University, Japan.
The KFP was established in 1977, and given for the first time in 1979 in three categories — Service to Islam, Islamic studies, and Arabic language and literature. Two additional categories were introduced in 1981 — medicine and science. The first medicine prize was awarded in 1982, and in science two years later.
Each prize laureate is endowed with $200,000, a 24-carat gold medal weighing 200 grams, and a certificate inscribed with the laureate’s name and a summary of the work that qualified them for the prize.
Women’s voices should be at forefront of policy, says UN climate champion
- Sarah El-Battouty sheds light on underrepresentation of women in the green economy
- Event in Bahrain aimed to amplify the voices of women in the industry
MANAMA: Women leaders from the MENA region are playing a transformative role in advancing climate action, a UN climate champion told Arab News.
“Women leaders in green tech and the green economy remain a minority, representing 30 percent of climate negotiations and less than 3 percent at the helm of tech companies,” said Sarah El-Battouty, global ambassador for the UNFCCC Climate Change High-Level Champions.
El-Battouty spoke to Arab News on the sidelines of the Sustainability Forum Middle East in Manama, Bahrain, where she attended the evening event titled “Women’s Leadership in Climate and Sustainability — Amplifying the Voices of MENA’s Changemakers.”
The event, held in partnership with Bahrain’s Supreme Council for Women and the Supreme Council for Environment, aims to showcase the contributions of female experts from across the MENA region.
El-Battouty, who is also chairwoman of ECONSULT Sustainable Architecture, highlighted the importance of diverse leadership, inclusive policymaking and technology in addressing the climate crisis.
“The role of the UNFCCC Climate Change High-Level Champions is critical to the policymaking and way forward for climate action and dialogue between stakeholders,” she said.
El-Battouty said that for many years, climate discussions were dominated by governments and financial institutions, leaving the private sector as mere implementers of policies.
She shed light on the underrepresentation of women in the green economy and tech sectors and the need for their inclusion.
“Among them, women have been selected on merit to put forward the case of solutions led and created by women for women and broader communities from all over the world,” El-Battouty said.
She said that while women played a transformative role in driving climate action, they faced significant economic and social barriers, particularly in access to climate financing.
El-Battouty said that challenges for women-led green initiatives in the MENA region often stemmed from systemic barriers rather than purely socio-cultural norms.
“There are hidden root causes less prominent than social norms verified as key limitations,” she said.
Women-led initiatives struggle to secured financial resources due to gender biases in financing systems, El-Battouty said.
“They are financed in smaller installments and often encouraged to have a male executive to unlock further financing.”
She added that limited ownership of assets, such as land, restricted women from securing collateral for loans. “Many women risk their savings or become indebted from the outset.”
El-Battouty added that unequal access to STEM education reduced opportunities for women to lead in technical and environmental fields.
“Less than 19 percent of women enter STEM education,” she said.
El-Battouty said that advancing inclusive policies addressing the social dimensions of climate change — such as gender equality, education and community resilience — was essential.
“These policies ensure that marginalized groups, including women and children, are part of the solution and recognize that as the most vulnerable to loss and damage and migration, women’s voices should be at the forefront of holistic policy frameworks,” she said.
El-Battouty called for accessible and affordable technology to empower women across all demographics.
“Women engage collaborative approaches, especially with other women, because they recognize them as stakeholders of climate actions, ensuring their livelihoods are sustained and information is learned, co-developed and passed on to generations,” she said.
El-Battouty said that women were critical advocates for inclusive and sustainable practices in industries such as housing and construction, which were responsible for nearly 40 percent of global emissions according to the UN.
“It is women in the industry who have advocated for the inclusion of rural villages, low-income housing and indigenous communities to be included in climate-resilient intervention and green buildings,” El-Battouty said.
Despite challenges, she celebrated the achievements of women leaders in advancing inclusivity and sustainability.
“Women in climate take big risks and face adverse resistance, however, their activism is seeing disruptive and positive steps to be inclusive and leave no one behind,” El-Battouty said.
Saudi universities unite at Darah event to innovate heritage preservation
- Al-Jouf University took first place with its innovative project to preserve Saudi heritage through an online platform promoting historical sites across the Kingdom
- Aligned with Vision 2030, the National History Lab gave youth and organizations passionate about preserving Saudi heritage a platform to collaborate and compete
RIYADH: The King Abdulaziz Public Foundation for Research and Archives, Darah, concluded its three-day National History Lab on Tuesday at Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, showing ways to preserve and celebrate Saudi history.
Themed “History in the Eyes of the Future,” the event brought together 30 Saudi universities and 15 national and international organizations to inspire innovative approaches to documenting and sharing Saudi history.
The initiative featured two streams: the digital innovation track, which focused on developing technical solutions for documenting and sharing history; and the social impact track, designed to create initiatives that strengthen community connections to history.
A panel of 13 judges evaluated the submissions, supported by more than 20 facilitators who guided participants in refining their ideas.
Al-Jouf University took first place with its innovative project to preserve Saudi heritage through an online platform promoting historical sites across the Kingdom.
Wajd Al-Huzaim, a student from the winning team, explained the concept: “Al-Majlis is a Saudi social media app connecting the Kingdom’s regions through communities. Each region is represented as a ‘majlis,’ such as Majlis Al-Jouf, Majlis Riyadh, and so on.
“People share posts about historical sites, their homes, and interact through likes and comments.”
She said that the app awards badges for visiting historical sites where users can check in at these locations to earn badges. “Once they collect a certain number, they achieve the title of ‘guide.’”
Al-Huzaim emphasized the app’s impact, saying: “It connects people to local landmarks and encourages citizens to promote their region’s history. By turning Saudi heritage into a trend, it appeals to the younger generation, making history relevant and engaging.”
The event included workshops, exhibitions, and talks by various experts. At one of the booths by Darah, visitors were able to learn how colors and inks were traditionally extracted from plants.
Munirah Al-Qahtani, a researcher at Darah, said: “In the past, our ancestors used these natural methods to color doors, windows, and houses where they would dissolve gum arabic to create a liquid substance that was mixed with the colors. This process ensured the durability of the piece and preserved its quality, preventing it from deteriorating over time.”
Aligned with Vision 2030, the National History Lab gave youth and organizations passionate about preserving Saudi heritage a platform to collaborate and compete, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
